Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu (7d/6n)
(7 days)

Itinerary

DAY

LOCATION(S)

HOTEL

MEALS

DESCRIPTION

Day 1

Cusco, Peru

Mountain Lodges

Lunch, Dinner, Snack

Cusco to Salkantay Lodge

Visit Inca ruins and the mountain village
of Mollepata before embarking on your first trek on the Camino Real. Your
destination: the welcoming Salkantay Lodge, named for the majestic peak at the
head of the valley, where you’ll find jacuzzis, aperitifs, and a crackling fire
in the fireplace.

Whet your appetite for trekking and
scenery with an acclimatization hike from the lodge to glacier-fed Lake
Humantay with views of Mt. Salkantay, a sacred mountain in Incan mythology.

Overnight: Salkantay Lodge (3,869 m/12,690
ft)

Trekking Time: Approximately 4 hours

Hiking Level: Moderate to Challenging

Day 3

Cusco, Peru

Mountain Lodges

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snack

Crossing the Salkantay Pass

Today’s the big day—we reach the trek’s
highest point on the Salkantay Pass (4,638 m/15,213 ft). Take in views of
snowcapped peaks of the Vilcabamba Range in every direction and the glaciated
south face of Mt. Salkantay towering above.

Overnight: Wayra Lodge (3,906 m/12,812 ft)

Trekking Time: 6–8 hours (including lunch)

Hiking Level: Challenging, crossing a 4,640m/15,200
ft mountain pass

Day 4

Cusco, Peru

Mountain Lodges

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snack

Descending into the Cloud Forest

We begin our descent along the Salkantay
River, where warm air starts rising from the jungle, accompanied by colorful
butterflies and striking orchids. At Colpa Lodge, we’ll be greeted with a
Pachamanca, a traditional Peruvian meal.

Overnight: Colpa Lodge (2,870 m/9,414 ft)

Trekking Time: 3–4 hours

Hiking Level: Easy to Moderate

Day 5

Cusco, Peru

Mountain Lodges

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snack

Following the Santa Teresa River Valley

Today we hike through more populated rural
areas, passing through banana, granadilla and avocado orchards. We’ll picnic by
the river, and later tour a coffee plantation before arriving at Lucma Lodge,
which is surrounded by its own avocado trees.

Overnight: Lucma Lodge (2,135 m/7,003 ft)

Trekking Time: 5–6 hours (including lunch)

Hiking Level: Moderate to Challenging
(because of distance, not terrain)

Day 6

Cusco, Peru

Mountain Lodges

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snack

First Views of Machu Picchu from Llactapata Pass

On our last trekking day, we hike along
the Llactapata Pass and come upon a distant but spectacular view of Machu
Picchu Sanctuary from the southeast, a view few travelers ever get a chance to
admire. Then we’ll make our way to the train bound for our ultimate
destination: Machu Picchu.

Overnight: Aguas Calientes (1,900 m/6,232
ft)

Trekking Time: 4–6 hours

Hiking Level: Moderate to Challenging

Day 7

Cusco, Peru

None

Breakfast

Visit Machu Picchu Sanctuary

We will take an introductory two-hour
guided tour of the ruins, after which we have the rest of the morning to
explore the site on our own or hike the steep Huayna Picchu for expansive
views.

Return to Cusco (3,360 m/11,021 ft)

*Huayna Picchu Mountain tickets are subject
to availability

Mountain Lodges have brought together traditional Inca building techniques and sensitivity to the surrounding environment with all
the comforts of home. At the end of each day, you will enjoy hot showers, fine gourmet meals, select wines, goose-down bedding,
massages, outdoor jacuzzis and highly personalized service from our local staff.

Tour Features

Experience(s)

Experiences have not been selected at this time

Description

Along the Salkantay trail, you will journey through varied terrain both challenging and awe-inspiring. Up-close views of glacier mountain peaks, mysterious fog surrounding fields of boulders, and cattle drives through the most remote of mountain areas are sights that will only enhance the spectacular topography, lush vegetation, and intriguing archaeological areas that you will encounter.

About Us

Peru Empire Co. offers tailor-made itineraries designed to match each traveler’s personal interests, style and preferences to create ideal Peru trips. We believe in structured yet flexible itineraries to facilitate discovery and exploration complemented by great service, the best guides and extraordinary hotels. Our programs are all inclusive, complete with a private vehicle and driver, a bilingual guide, upon request and an Experience Concierge. This innovative concept of Peru Empire Co., means that the trip is monitored and traveler’s needs are taken care of appropriately.

Insider Tip

We handle even the slightest details, from planning superb menus to organizing pre check-in; from booking special visits to paying airport taxes for domestic flights

Terms & Conditions

Terms and conditions vary by program. Details will be provided upon booking/request.

Reviews and Recommendations for Peru Empire Co.

of 10

guests recommend

Virtuoso Verified Traveler

All reviews are from confirmed guests sharing exclusive insights

Sort reviews by

Recommended

Our Thanks for Creating the PERFECT Peruvian Vacation!

By: jck55

Reviewed on: 24 Aug 2016

We found the team of Judi Glass/McCabe World Travel (in the U.S.) and Empire Peru to be first class. They were knowledgeable, organized, responsive and provided excellent communication throughout the process. We worked together on options that fit our varied interests and budget. Weeks prior to our departure, they sent a detailed itinerary complete with descriptions of our excursions as well as recommendations for restaurant, shopping and points of interest in every city we were visiting. The daily guides were exceptional and provided great insight and information to each of our adventures AND...they were quick to satisfy our every need. Our accommodations were unique and we felt we received a lot of value for our investment. If you are planning a trip to Peru, we would highly recommend Judi Glass at McCabe World Travel/Empire Peru. Thanks again for the wonderful memories!

Wonderful Peru!

By: Mamie

Reviewed on: 16 Feb 2017

Peru Empire Co. was amazing!

By: Berry - Peru 2017

Reviewed on: 26 Sep 2017

This company knows what they are doing and were simply awesome. All the details we thought of and executed perfectly. The guides are knowledgeable, punctual and attentive! I would highly recommenced using them!!!!!

Peru

By: MN

Reviewed on: 21 Apr 2018

Peru empire was great. We planned a trip to Peru very last minute. They put together a great itinerary from hotels, excursions, drivers, guides and dinner suggestions.
The trip was so well organized and a very high level of service.
All the guides were fluent in English, knowledgeable about the areas, and fun to be with. We had a great trip- thank you!!

Reviewed on: 21 Apr 2018

Machu Picchu

By: Rose B.

Reviewed on: 19 May 2018

We loved our guide Gonzalo! We had private tours and he definitely took us on the path less traveled. The lodging at the Belmond properties was exceptional. Of Course the highlight was Machu Picchu and hiking the Sacred Valley. I would recommend checking itinerary closely before leaving the US because we wanted a change and there was no refund.
All in all great trip!

Peru 2018--A Memorable Experience

By: Linda

Reviewed on: 26 Jul 2018

Our trip to Peru was even better than expected, thanks to Peru Empire, Co. They provided names, numbers, email addresses, instructions, etc., for our use if problems developed. But no concerns arose! The hosts, guides, drivers, operations personnel were punctual, friendly, warm, and informative! The hotels and staffs were superb! Thanks go to Alexandra Monge and her associates for putting together our Peru 2018 experience! No complaints!

Peru Guides Extraordinaire!!

By: Peru Adventure

Reviewed on: 31 Jul 2018

They were wonderful! Very reliable, friendly, helpful. They made us feel safe, they were very organized and helpful, always there for us timely and shepherded us the whole week, and made our trip fantastic.